Alopecia Areata Natural Treatment

What Is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia Areata Natural Treatment There are five basic types of alopecia (hair loss). Each of the types of alopecia will be discussed in separate articles. Some forms of alopecia could result from improper diet. For instance, individuals who severely restrict carbohydrates from their diet for long periods of time could suffer a significant amount of hair loss on the scalp. Restricting carbohydrates can mean that a person eats far too much protein. A diet that contains too much or too little protein, iron and/or zinc could cause an individual to lose his or her hair.

Hair loss could also be caused by too little iodine in the diet, as well as too little of the essential fatty acids in the diet. Alopecia could also occur in people who have too much Vitamin A in the diet. People who suffer from malnutrition, or have a hormonal imbalance could also suffer from alopecia. Hair loss could also stem from heavy metal toxicity. Alopecia could also be caused by an autoimmune disorder. Some forms of alopecia could be associated with other disease processes in the body. There are so many possible causes for hair loss, that all of them are not totally understood.

Alopecia areata involves rapid hair loss that occurs in patches over the scalp. Alopecia areata can occur anywhere on the body, but it is most noticeable on the head. It is believed that genetics may play a role in this form of alopecia; thus, more than one individual in a family may have patchy hair loss noticeable on the scalp. It is believed that the immune system produces a great number signaling molecules called cytokines which inhibit hair growth from the follicles.

Normally, scalp hair goes through random stages called catagen and telogen. Catagen is the stage where the hair stops growing, and telogen is the stage when the hair falls out. The individual hair follicles go through these stages at random places on the scalp, so that the hair loss isn't noticeable. However, a person who has alopecia areata has hair loss in patches, because all the hair follicles in a certain area on the head will go through these stages all at the same time.

What does alopecia areata look like?

Alopecia areata is very distinct hair loss in the form of an oval or a circular patch. A person could have more than one patch of hair missing. Around the inside margin of the patch of bare scalp there is a distinct line of extremely short hairs. I have had this form of alopecia since I was 7 years old. My hair fell out at my right temple and never grew back. It was sudden; it seemed like one day the hair was there and the next I noticed an egg shaped bald spot there. I am fortunate that the rest of my hair above the bald spot covers it completely. It is only when I wear my hair back from my face that the bald spot is visible.

What is the prognosis for alopecia areata?

The prognosis for alopecia areata is unpredictable, at best. Everyone is different. In some people the patches of hair loss get larger, some stay the same, and still others may notice that the hair is growing back. It is possible for people to totally regrow their hair. Regrowth of hair usually comes in the natural color of the rest of the hair; however, some people notice their regrowth of hair first comes in as fine white hairs and gradually thicken and eventually turns to the natural color.

Can alopecia areata be treated?

If you have a small area of alopecia areata, you may be able to get your hair to grow back. Your doctor may ask you questions about your diet and review any medications you are taking that may have been a factor that lead to your hair loss. If you are eating too much or too little protein, vitamins and minerals, your doctor may ask you to eat a more balanced diet.

By Charlene Collins - Charlene Collins is a retired licensed practical nurse from Bethlehem, Georgia. She has both career and personal experience with several types of physical and mental health conditions. First and foremost, Ch...

Related Alopecia-areata-natural-treatment Videos

Next page: Alopecia Areata Pictures

Bookmark/Share This Page:

Alopecia Areata Natural Treatment News

Dr. Susan Taylor: What Every Black Woman Needs to Know About Hair Loss: Part 3

15 May 2012 at 5:31pm Traction alopecia is one of the three most common types of alopecia that I see in my black female patients. Here are it's common causes and how to avoid it.

Read more...

Kleineres Koordinatenmessger�t von Carl Zeiss

15 May 2012 at 4:51am F�r die 3-D-Vermessung von handfl�chengro�en Kunststoffwerkst�cken wie Handyschalen hat Carl Zeiss...

Read more...

Wacker: Neue Siliconkautschuktypen f�r Baby-Care-Anwendungen

9 May 2012 at 8:36am Der Chemiekonzern Wacker pr�sentiert auf der Plast 2012 neue Siliconkautschuktypen zur Herstellung...

Read more...

Evonik gr�ndet Joint Venture in S�dafrika

3 May 2012 at 4:06am Zur Herstellung von extrudierten Plexiglasplatten gr�ndet Evonik ein Joint Venture mit der Ampaglas...

Read more...

Dermatological Drugs: World Market Prospects 2012-2022

2 May 2012 at 7:36am NEW YORK, May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: Dermatological Drugs: World Market Prospects 2012-2022 http://www.reportlinker.com/p0788690/Dermatological-Drugs-World-Market-Prospects-2012-2022.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Drug_and_MedicationReport ...

Read more...

A Review of Alopecia Areata

28 Apr 2012 at 12:45am (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- When the impact of skin diseases on the lives of those it affects usually is considered a "cosmetic problem."� The most common autoimmune disease known as alopecia areata is an example of the lack of attention on skin dis ...

Read more...

New Dermatology and Endocrinology Resources Published at ScienceIndex.com

24 Apr 2012 at 2:25am The Dermatology and Endocrinology Sciences are two new key health categories covered by the Sciences Social Network ScienceIndex.com. The users of the website monitor nearly 100 scientific Dermatology and Endocrinology Sciences journals and submit the most significant scientific results of these journals for inclusion in ScienceIndex.com. ScienceIndex.com was established in 1998 to index the ...

Read more...

Alopecia Areata Treatment

Learn about alopecia areata treatment and remedies